Digesting some good news for breakfast

Thursday

May 17, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 17, 2007 at 5:18 PM

Good news was served for breakfast Wednesday as the Alliance For Amesbury recognized three local businesses at Amesbury Sports Park. Nearly 80 business and community leaders gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of Raya MedSpa, James Place and The Riverwalk Bead Shop, all located in Amesbury.

Donna O'Neil/doneil@cnc.com

Emcee Cathy Toomey of StoneRidge Properties’ Amesbury office opened the morning to chuckles from the audience, “I’m no Rob Ouellette,” she said in reference to the Amesbury Skate and Sport Shop proprietor who could easily be a contender on Last Comic Standing.

She introduced Raya MedSpa and Mark MacCormack, D.C. and office manager Karen Story as a successful spa business which began in Amesbury nearly 18 months ago. They are located 19 Main St., and offer both fluff and buff spa treatments as well as Botox, Collagen, tattoo removal services and other skin care treatments.

James Place After School program was recognized for 13 years of continued service to families in Amesbury, offering after-school and summer programs for children ages 5-14. James Place is in the process of expanding programs and is looking for a larger space to accommodate the growing needs of the community, said Toomey. Program officials are planning to stay in Amesbury.

Nancy Plante was introduced as a woman whose midlife crisis after selling homes and then furniture for the famous brother duo Barry and Elliot of Jordan’s Furniture fame, created a successful bead shop in the converted railroad station in Amesbury. Her shop, The Riverwalk Bead Shop at 32 Elm St., is part bead shop, part art gallery, with works from several local artists.

Rep. Michael Costello, the morning’s keynote speaker, was introduced by his father Nick Costello, president of the Alliance. The elder Costello joked “I’ve known this guy since he was a little kid.”

“The Alliance for Amesbury is the lifeblood and force for all economic things that have happened in Amesbury,” said the younger Costello. He recognized Bob Gonthier, a former Amesbury selectman, who served back when Amesbury only had three selectmen and then referenced Amesbury of old. The representative also praised the efforts of the private-public partnership that is now the Alliance and how it has contributed to “putting Amesbury on the map.”

The ladies of the Whittier Home were also recognized in their efforts to promote a piece of Amesbury history that is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of it’s namesake, John Greenleaf Whittier. Mike Costello said that Whittier was “unabashedly outspoken” and was “on the forefront of the civil rights movement.”